Area of Study 4: Descriptive

MusicDescribing Programme Music

Recapping…

• How did the orchestra change from the Baroque through to the Romantic period? Be as specific as possible.

• What are the dates of the Romantic period?

• Give a definition of programme music, being giving as much detail as you can.

How can we describe how a composer

uses music to illustrate a

story/picture/drama/mood etc?

• Rhythm

• Melody

• Texture

• Instrumentation

• Dynamics

• Pitch

*Write a paragraph describing how the music expresses the conflict in

Romeo and Juliet (You may wish to refer to instruments, rhythm,

melody, pitch, dynamics, texture or any other features that are

relevant).

Candidate A

The music has a strong beat and is quite fast. It

sounds quite fiery and vicious which is a good

illustration of the battle between the Montagues and

Capulets. You can hear brass instruments and this

makes the music loud and exciting. Crescendo’ s can

be heard. It is in a miner key which is a depressing

key but this also gives the sad feel to the music. There

is tension in the music. The rythms are on the main

tune and they are important.

Candidate B

The strings dominate the texture with many

ascending and descending scales, giving the music a

lot of energy, contributing to the constant changing

emotions in the drama of the conflict. The question

and answer phrases (call and response) between the

strings and the woodwind represent the struggle and

fight between the two families.

The opening short and slightly syncopated rhythm is

repeated a lot (homophonic texture), possibly

representing the constant slashing of swords in a

fight. The pitch varies, with high piccolo and flutes

contrasting with a lower register in the strings, again

illustrating the difference between the two families.

The dynamic is usually f-ff, which, along with the

minor key, contributes to the angry feeling of the

music.

Now listen to the track from 8:15-

10:35• Turn your sheet over and complete the boxes, in

bullet points. Don’t forget to relate it to the stimulus (Romeo and Juliet’s love).

Homework: due in Thursday 7th July

2010• Write a paragraph on how the music in the

extract from Romeo and Juliet illustrates the love they have for each other.

• Make sure you refer to instruments, rhythm, melody, pitch, dynamics, texture or any other features that are relevant.